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October 28, 2008

With now only one week until the election, more and more faculty members are endorsing political candidates.

A blog post today has a list of Jewish studies scholars who have pledged support for Senator Obama. The list includes Vassar's Jewish studies professors Andrew Bush, Marc Epstein, Judith Goldstein, Joshua Schreier, and Agnes Veto.

The endorsement states: "As scholars of Jewish Studies, we are concerned that distortions of Senator Obama’s record and biography have caused undue anxiety among American Jews about what an Obama presidency would mean for Israel and the Jewish community here... We urge Jewish voters to vote with their minds as well as their hearts, and not to allow themselves to be misled by pernicious lies concerning the candidate’s religious and ethnic background."

The Jewish Studies professors are not the only ones who feel the need to speak out against the inaccurate portrayal of individuals in the media. Dean Roellkepublicly endorsed Bill Ayers as an educator last week.

17 comments:

Anonymous
said...

yo, what the fuck is up with the mccain booth in the college center? i have no problem with people advocating for their canditate, but isn't it a bit late in the game to put out a booth for an extremely unpopular candidate on this campus? i voted last week, as i'm sure many did, and i'd be surprised if they're able to change a single vote at vassar freaking college a week before election day.

Well, thank GOD the Jewish Studies Professors endorse Obama. Now I can sleep well tonight and know that voting for Obama is the best decision. What would I do without the knowledge that people I don't know/care about endorse Obama?

10:59, you're an idiot. There's been a lot of slack towards Obama about his stance on Israel from right wing Jewish organizations. I know many Orthodox and Chasidic synagogues endorse McCain over Obama for his stance on Israel alone. By hearing the opinions of people who devote their whole lives to the study of Judaism (and Zionism), the voter who finds those issues most important/relevant can be further informed. Just because you don't know who the professors are or don't care about the future of Israel doesn't mean that others share your same viewpoint. I'm happy these professors spoke up so it will calm down the zionists who agree with Obama on pretty much every issue but feel the need to vote for McCain due to his stance on Israel. God knows there are way too many of them.

-A Culturally Jewish, Religiously Athiest, Anti-Zionist Obama Supporter (see even if it doesn't effect me I can still see the importance)

2:20, I name call when I'm debating people in person as well. It doesn't matter as long as you back it up with facts. Get off your high horse, kid. I am very accepting of people regardless of race, religion, gender, sexuality, etc. Not so much in beliefs I very strongly disagree with. Why would I be completely accepting of apathy?

As 3:22 implied, you are making comments attacking others under the veil of anonymity as well. Stop being so self righteous .